Some One made a difference to me...

Today was Emily Lewis's Funeral. It was held in Emporia where she lived much of her life. She was I think --83 and lived such a good life. We have only been in Kansas for 1 3/4 years so we only knew her as a little lady with altziemers. I have been her visiting teacher for the passed maybe 9 months. I sat with her one day while her daughter went to a birthday party of her Granddaughter. The cutest thing she did was yell "Lloyd, Lloyd --- I L-O-V-E -Y-O-U. Lloyd Lloyd did you here me? Do you Love me Too?" And he would answer back, "Yes, I love you too" and then she would repeat it about ten more times. So sweet. Her mind was gone but still her life long love for her husband was crystal clear. Today at her funeral, we learned how loving of a person she was. What a tribute. The last time that we met with her (Heidi and I ) She said "I am going on a trip soon" How sweet that she could sense her time was nearly up. I'm so lucky to have been touched by her and her family. They are all kind hearted and loving people (it's in their genes) Luckily Melissa shared with me earlier what an awesome lady her grandmother was when they were growing up. I love to think that I know Emily a little better now.Their family has made a difference in my life. Also so lucky to be here where I have such GOOD FRIENDS! And in a crises we just pull together and work hard!

I was tagged again! Ha-Ha Jill- just have to re-post!

EIGHT TV SHOWS I LOVE: 1-HGTV 2-Cooking Channel 3-Extreme Home Make Over 4-Biggest Loser 5-Family Feud 6-America's Funniest Video's 7-Price is Right 8-Idol EIGHT THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY: 1-Blogged at 3:00 am 2-Rolled out and baked over 100 rolls 3- Went to a Funeral 4-Helped at the Funeral Luncheon 5-Hit my bed 6-Delivered extra food to my friends family 7-took a hot bath 8-Watched recorded Gunsmoke and Bonanza w/ Clark EIGHT PLACES I LOVE TO EAT: 1-Olive Gardens 2-Red Lobster 3-Cafe Rio 4-Red Rock Canyon 5-Any Restaurant except sushi 6-Los Hermanos 7-La. Cajan (any restaurant that serves soft shell crab) 8-Bejing EIGHT THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO: 1-Living Closer to my Kids 2-Kissing on my Grand kids everyday! 3-Living Closer to Our Relatives 4-More Grand kids 5-Clark feeling better 6-Traveling 7-Seeing Elyse get married ( sooner than later!) 8-Being with my Family in HEAVEN EIGHT THINGS ON MY WISH LIST: 1-Taking a cruise to Alaska with Clark and our kids 2-Taking our Grandchildren to Disney World(when they are all here in this world!) 3-Having no house payment 4-Being Prepared with a BIG home storage. 5-Clark being healthy 6-Living to be old 7-Losing 40 lbs 8-Being smart(er) I TAG ANYONE THAT IS WILLING TO DO THIS

Ice picking! and a skiff of Snow!

This is after Ice Picking My windows for 1 hour! And leaving the car running for 30 minutes before I even attempted it. It was 12:00 noon. Clark said spraying de-icer on his windows didn't even help. And what ever you didn't get brushed off just re-froze! We need a three car garage! It really has been a mild winter here. Today it will probably get to 30-40 degrees. Crazy weather!

Don't notice the time---It's another sleepless night! I can't decide if I'm just having hotflashes or waking up worry-ing about...? but it's getting to be an every night event.

TIMELESS TUESDAY: Happy B -DAY to My second MOM who has impacted my life!

Today would have been Clark's Moms B-day. Pretty Unique in the fact that she was born just 4 days after her husband (Mac) My tribute to her at Christmas. Post entitled "MRS. CHRISTMAS" is just a small amount of what could be said for an awesome MOM AND GRANDMA AND FRIEND We often have said that DeAnn could "take care of the worlds problems" So God needed her most in Heaven. We miss her keeping the "PEACE" in our family, and helping us solve our problems. She was the strong LINK that held us all together. For me personally, she was my dearest friend. We were able to work together at "Country Corner" ( a small grocery store in our little town)and people thought I was her blood daughter! She changed my life when she moved to Emery County and helped me with my kids. We could laugh until we were sick. Her love for people just was contagious and her friends became my friends (especially my life long friend Nita)

She has influenced my life with her example of being such a good MOM. A patient, mild tempered, person. A good friend. An EXTREMELY HARD WORKER, A kind loving heart to everyone. She exemplified a Christ like life with her service and love for others. WE MISS HER.

Re-Post- "Mrs. Christmas"

This was MRS. CHRISTMAS! It is Clark's Mother. Our children's --one of a kind Grandma.

She was Mrs Christmas for many reasons.

1- She loved Christmas

2- She started shopping and finished shopping early and had most everything wrapped by AUGUST! (that's why when she passed away, her Christmas gifts were complete.)

3- She always gave the 'Perfect' gifts. And it was a goal of hers to give the grandchildren things that they would absolutely love and totally drive their parents crazy! One year in was the HeMan Sword that lit up and made the most annoying loud sound. She would giggle when we cussed her!

4- She was a PEACE-MAKER.

5- She could handle Santa's list of naughty or nice! (she could solve the worlds problems)

6-She was a one of a kind CARE-TAKER not only for Santa's Elves but her own Mother who suffered from Alzheimer's

7-She was a Mrs. Christmas because of the LOVE she showed to everyone

8- She was a Mrs. Christmas because she loved to SERVE others

9- She was every one's BEST FRIEND. Looking for the good in others. I remember one special quality she had was to find something nice to say about anyone that treated her ill. Also to Forgive and Forget.

10- She was an amazing LISTENER.

11- She had an incredible amount PATIENCE

12- She loved to LAUGH.

13-She was a LEADER

14- She lived to make people HAPPY

15- She WORKED incredibly HARD

16- She made sure SANTA was always in line!

It only makes sense that she went to Heaven at 56. Only the good die young. She died on FRIDAY, December the 13th from a blood clot after knee surgery. I'm sure it is so she could watch out for us all and prepare things for the big--Festivities when we meet again!

We all miss you Mrs. Christmas. You are a legacy of LOVE and a GREAT "MOTHER" AND "GRANDMOTHER." WE WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER

Her favorite Christmas Song: "LITTLE DRUMMER BOY"

Mia and Me on Monday!

I get to watch Mia today! She is a pleasant addition to the day! Her Mom is stuck in Colorado trying to get a flight into Wichita. So today is like having a Grand baby around! Just watching Mickey Mouse and Handy Manny etc. Playing Barbies and Racing around the house in the big Fred Flinstone Car! It is like Kylie and Maddie hanging out with me! It will be a busy week for our R.S. and Branch and our focus is going to be two funerals for Lady's here. My heart goes out to the families of these ladies. It's hard to loose a Mother, Grandmother. Just brings back of the memories of our own losses which makes us even more compassionate and sad for the families.

We are B-A-C-K from N.O, here's a bit of our 'Drive Bye' - shootings (pictures!)

You can barely tell this is some of the above ground Cemetaries (the box looking stones are the graves)

This is the ever famous SAINTS SUPERDOME

Cranes Nesting (another of my favorite.) I loved to see cranes everywhere.

Norco Refinery Near New Orleans

My Favorite part of Cajan Food! Crab,Crawfish, Corn and Potatoes (this was at Harbor Seafood) the best food ever!

The Only Aligator we saw this trip- much to much to cold! 22-34 degrees cold!

Mmmmmm- Crawfish

Good Ol' Continental- Great Flights with the exception 'Express' Air pressure and feeling like my Ear Drums were bursting!

The Green Grass and Palm Trees at the Fairfield in Kenner

You won't believe where this Chevron is! A rebuilt of JANNS Chevron on Pumpkin Center next to our old house!!!

My all time favorite place is the harbor in Madisonville/Mandiville (I could live there)

Check out the Spanish Moss on the trees. Oh I LOVE IT!!

On Lake Ponchatrain

Clark and I miss BERRY TOWN- Another of our Louisiana Favorite!

And Boiled Peanuts!

French Quarters

Johnny Trauth's is just a seafood joint that Clark lived at when he was stationed in a Hotel for 3 weeks before we moved to La so he wanted to go back.

Monster Shrimp

The Best Oysters and Hush Puppies EVER!

Not the best King Cake, but never the less we brought home a King Cake! And thus,

The history behind Mardi Gras King Cakes:

The king Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th Century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the feast of the Epiphany, Twelfth Night of the King's Day.

The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the circular route used by the Kings to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Harod, who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes, a bean, a pea or a coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day, or was said to have good luck in the coming year.

In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends on Mardi Gras Day. The beans, peas and coins have been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party.

It's still such a tradition and sincerly the cake is a BIG part of everyday during the next few weeks until Mardi Gras. The Color GREEN is for FAITH The Color YELLOW is for POWER The Color Purple is for JUSTICE

Just Traffic

Going Across the Mississippi Traffic in New Orleans-- Woo hoo good bye to the craziness of the traffic!

So here is the run down from our awesome trip to NEW ORLEANS!

We spent 2 days traveling/flying since Kansas City is 3 hrs away and $250 cheaper (x2) We chose to drive/fly. Two very long days traveling and 1 awesome day trying to fit everything in!

First of all Clark was honored at his old operation in Louisianna for his contribution to the Osha's VPP in Safety award. Pretty emotional to see Clark be honored, and also to see the men that Clark worked with for 2 years. Pretty Unique in the fact they remain such respected friends.

The rest was the fun of the food and the scenery of a place that will remain in our hearts forever!

TIMELESS TUESDAY: Gramps

Bob, Grandma. Grandpa. Sherron and Mac- A family raised in the 'Good Ol' Days!

Perfect time to pay tribute to my father in law who has impacted my life. Hopefully I can find the pics. I am looking for. Probably not until Friday. So Gramps is a legend: He can tell you stories from the good ol' days that make the wild wild west come alive! His family ran cows out in the good ol' Desert of Emery County and up as far as 9 mile and East Carbon and Price Canyon. He was raised on a horse! And was a wild yay hoot when he was a kid. His life changed for the good when he met Clark's Mom ,DeAnn. She was a patient, loving wife who stood by Gramps through thick and thin. He's had a life of hard work and perseverance. Heart Break too when his love of his life passed away in 1996 He graduated from Emery High and then BYU while married. He is a selfless man, he would do anything for anybody. He is a great friend and has so many people that love and admire him. He is a person that always has a joke to tell and lives to make people laugh. He is a 100 percent home teacher. One of those guys that is down to earth. He is also too human and can cuss up a wild sentence. He is the Father of 4 awesome kids, they all 4 have a college degree. Clark and Jay both served missions for our church. Mac is so proud of ALL of them. One of the things that Clark remembers most about his days growing up is although his Dad was away working a lot. They ALWAYS took time as a family to vacation. Zillions of camping and hunting and boating trips. Mac's priority is and has always been his family. That is one thing that we tried to take from his example is to always make memories of special times together as a family. Clark's relationship with his Dad is one of a kind. Clark has been able to learn valuable life lessons working along side of his Dad in the family business. Including forgiving and forgetting when things were sometimes touchy in many situations. He was able to farm with his Dad. His Dad was also his Bishop at one time. That's unique! Clark's special quality of only looking for the good has made his relationship with his father perfect. He can listen, and take his fathers sound advice. I can tell you that I LOVE GRAMPS! He was the only one of our parents that made it to the hospital during the labor and delivery of one of my kids. Not because they didn't want to be there, but Clark and I just went through the whole process together as a couple and surprised everyone. But Mac was living in Huntington working while his family was in Pleasant Grove and he got word that we were in the hospital just checking to see if it might be a false alarm.When Elyse decide to come into the world! So Gramps got to be with me while I was in labor. That was fun!

I can tell you how unique our relationship is... I'm the only one that can trim his toenails. I am not kidding when I say his toes go until I get back to Utah- every six months!!! I feel important! He brought me a plant when I had my appendix out. It started out as a 5" inch plant on my 24th birthday (that's right an emergency appendectomy on my b-day!) and ended as a 7' tree. I treasured it because I new he purchased it a delivered it just for me! I know that Gramps keeps all of his kids in his prayers and behind all that rough and tough skin on the outside he has a tender heart. Through out our lives he has been concerned and caring about all of our welfare. I love getting phone calls often and telling Clark his Dad loves me more than him! I remember when my mom passed away. It had just been a short time since we had lost my Dad and Clark's Mom. He said to me, " looks like I'm all you have left" So, so thankful he is in our lives. I love the relationship he has with our children. He is an awesome Grandpa, not with out his criticism. He's hard on you if he loves you the most! I am forever grateful for the things he taught our children on the farm. I know we were so lucky to have that experience. Moving away has been the hardest on Mac and Clark. Although It has it's bad points, we appreciate the support we have had from Dad in this move. Clark is not there to help out like he is used to. Clark misses out on the good times with his Dad. The good that came from being away is that Tyrel has taken over Clark's responsibility to his Dad. Tyrel is incredibly close to Gramps. Tyrel has worked a long side of him and spent many, many nights just hangin' out with Gramps. Gramps has come to love Tyrel's wife Danielle. They together make Gramps travel around the country with them to hear his awesome stories and knowledge he has about the area. Terrence loves Gramps and wish he and his family could be around more like Tyrel. And Elyse just loves kissing on Gramps! As does all his grandchildren.

Gramps is Loved! We love you Forever! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAC!

Getting my Motor Moving on Monday!

So today is Catch-Up day - in between blowing my nose off and wiping my running eye! This is the most disgusting cold I've had for a long long time. The TMI details are this. Why is it that the left nostril and the left eyes runs, I'm over it and then the right nostril and the right eye have to take a turn???? And I'm sneezing like I have to start the whole ordeal over again???? Besides the dumb cold I have to fever and have to stay in bed. First time in our lives Clark and I were sick together. Kinda funny, passing the Kleenex box back and forth. That was comforting! Ahhhhh OK ENOUGH SAID, SORRY I am packing for New Orleans, getting my house in order and catching up on my R.S. TODAY! THE REST OF THE WEEK IS VACATION TIME Woo hoo!

The Sick Bug won't leave us alone!

I've decided it has been a rough winter! Besides the sinus infection and flu I had while in Utah over the Christmas Holiday. The bug that is in the air has attacted us again... I have been in bed with a stupid simple cold. Just trying to kick it faster so I can have some fun, and much needed exercise at the Y. But NO it is lingering at our house and now Mr. Clark is home with the bug that has hit everyone at his office... OK THEN, we will take it easy for now but we have tickets for New Orleans on Tuesday so it better GO AWAY!!! Now Elder Albaugh has the BUG. Now we can say it has been through us all.

No Walkin' on Wednesday...

Today has been a day to hit the Kleenex box! A day off of walking. Clark gave me the dreaded cold so guess what... I'M FIGHTING BACK! I'm over dosing on Echinacea, Vitamin C, Zinc and Vitamin D big time... I THINK I'LL LIVE , and start WALKING tomorrow. (NOT) Update: Always a first time for everthing --dag nab it, but the overdosing on all the vitamins hasn't touch the dreaded cold. Scarry when you just have to run the virus through the system and NOTHING TOUCH'S IT!

TIMELESS TUESDAY: WHO'S 25 this week??

This picture cracks me up, not only is Terr wearing a army cover that goes on a hat that looks like a shower cap. He's wearing the apron Grandma Baker made! CUTE! Also these pictures. show Grandma Eden and Grandma Deann and Grandpa Mac!

Working with Grampa Baker, Terrence's name sake

Brothers

This michievious look was little Terrence's nature!

It's only fitting that because it is Terrence's Birthday this week that I honor him as someone who has impacted my life.

He was born on Grandma Eden's Birthday, my biggest baby, my very best delivery. Why is it you can perfectly remember labor and delivery? Terrence was stubborn coming into the world but once he decided to get it over with. Wham O he was here. just 10 minutes after they broke my water I dilated from 2 to 10 and he was born. It was perfect. One thing that is memorable about his infancy is that he would not go to a baby sitter. So I got to quit my job at the bank and become a stay at home Mom. He loved to be everywhere I was. I loved when he would push a chair up to the counter and help me do dishes or cook. I'd like to think that is where he learned to love to cook, but his wife gets that credit. They are such a team!

He is still to this day 'my boy' The day isn't complete unless I here from Terr.

He had a special relationship with his Grandparents, especially his Grandma Deann. He knew she loved him and they were partners on the farm! They worked side by side and Grandma Deann took a lot of time with him making sure he had fun play time. For 1 year after she passed away Terrence had dreams of her and would wake up crying everynight. He was 13

Terr has a tender heart and a giving nature

When Terrence first started dating Laura his sophomore year in High School, I new Laura was meant to be in our family. I'm proud of Terrence for choosing someone as awesome as she is. I'm proud that he is a good husband. I'm proud that they work so well together and I know that because of Laura's loving nature it has made Terrence a better man. He works a long side of Laura, they are an amazing couple. They are amazing parents. When I watch Terr be so patient with his girls it just amazes me.

He has some awesome bestfriends along with closest relationships with his cousins. He is a good friend. A good kind, caring person.

He was named after my Dad, it is ironic how many traits he has of my father. He is a perfectionist, things have to be just so. Things usually go better if it is his way! He is an inventor, He loves to tinker. He's an organizer. He studies out all of his decisions and pushes him self to excell.

He's like his father when it comes to mechanics. It just comes natually. He loves the outdoors, hunting, fishing, four wheeling etc. He is also like his father with patience and I don't think I've heard him cuss. That is his Dad's pet heave!

He was the worlds best little brother except for the few years as a teenager! He was Elyse's best friend for a long time. He could get her to play lego's for hours. He's back to Elyse's best friend and has been there for her anytime as well as Tyrel.

He is an amazing Father. I will never forget walking in the hospital and seeing Terrence taking care of Kylie (his first born) An incredible experience as a parent watching our son be so tender and loving and emotional. It just seems so natural to him. He now takes one on one time with both of his girls and makes sure it is a priority to spend time with them.

He has some incredible talents and abilities. Right now it is pursuing his education. He is a goal oriented, smart kid. He is a great provider and hard worker.

I feel honored that God allowed me to raise Terrence. He has blessed my life in more ways than I can mention. One thing about Terrence that I cherish is that I know no matter what, no matter where he will always be their for our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERR! WE LOVE YOU!!!